After She She Stopped Loving Him

Chapter 36

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lan’s face was flushed with fever, his lips pale, but none of it could dull the sharp, surprised light that flared in his eyes when he saw Yolanda.

Yolanda turned, offered a brief thanks to the lingering crew member, and waited until they were alone. Then she stepped inside, closing the door behind her and turning the lock.

The room was cramped, barely large enough for the queen–sized bed that dominated the space. His opent backpack and suitcase served as a makeshift closet nearby.

Yolanda dropped two bags of medical supplies onto the mattress, her anger palpable. “Take your shirt off. Let

the see.

He was silent for a beat before slowly sitting on the edge of the bed. He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a map of dark bruises across his muscular back. It was a stark testament to how painful that fall must

have been

She drew a sharp breath, her hand flying to his forehead. He was still burning up. “I told you to call me if you didn’t feel well,” she said, frantically digging through her bag for the fever reducers.

“I thought you… wouldn’t want to hear from me,” he murmured.

Yolanda went still. She had been avoiding him all week. After all, things had been awkward since the last time. She’d needed space to clear her head, never imagining he’d been having a rough time quietly.

“Just take these first,” she said, her voice softening as she held the pills to his lips. “And don’t worry about Wayne. He’ll be taken care of.”

He sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at her with an unreadable expression.

Before she could wonder if something was on her face, his arms circled her waist. He buried his face against her stomach.

She stood frozen for a moment, then her hand came up to tentatively touch his hair. It was coarse but soft, and carried the clean scent of recent rain.

long arms held her carefully, and he nuzzled his head against her waist like

away, grabbed his hand, and pressed

of the bed, staring down at the medicine in his hand, his lips pressed into

line.

water at him. “Take them. Get the fever down first. There are anti- inflammatories in the

the water silently and

7:44 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 36

35 vouchers

Yolanda tugged at her collar, fanning

door.

follow, but her words stopped him cold. “Stay here and rest. I’m going to

finished filming his scene when his assistant hurried

the male lead starring opposite a top actress, Wayne had been riding high lately. Everyone on set knew he had a

to ask what Rachael wanted when a stinging slap landed hard across

the hat and mask. Though he couldn’t see her face, her presence

said, “Rachael sends

affair with Rachael, and she had just called. And then he

me, Wayne? I’ve been meeting with your sugar mommy’s partner. Does she know you’ve been stirring

pale. His assistant leaned in, whispering urgently, “Ms. Owens told you not to make waves. This might be about that co–star

teeth clenched. “Tessa, what gives you the right

I’m on good terms with the executives at Starlight Entertainment. I haven’t even brought up the drugging incident yet. Keep this up, and I’ll

had worked hard to secure Rachael’s support. He couldn’t afford to lose that. And Yolanda’s confidence shook him. Is she lan’s real backer, not just his agent? But she’s pretty. He’s lucked out with a woman

again, voice tense. “Wayne, Ms. Owens is furious. Maybe it’s

forced a smile, covering his reddening cheek. “My apologies. I misjudged the situation,

seen the exchange. They’d thought Ian had no support, but even Wayne had been put

backer. Ian has his. Next

more than to wipe that smug look

watched the entire scene unfold, stunned that the usually